Post-1970 American Cohorts Dying Earlier Across Major Causes, Study Finds
A national study using a birth-cohort Lexis-diagram approach finds Americans born after 1970 are dying at higher rates than earlier generations at the same ages, across heart disease, cancer, and external causes. The 1950s cohort marks a turning point from steady survival gains to deterioration, while a broader, nationwide health downturn began around 2010. If trends continue, the U.S. could face unprecedented long-run stagnation or decline in life expectancy. Potential drivers include obesity, smoking patterns, rising inequality, and the opioid epidemic; policy efforts to reduce social inequalities may help. Modest 2018–2019 gains were erased by 2022–2023, underscoring a generational health warning for the years ahead.
